MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, Jan. 26, 2015

The Michigan Republican Party (MRP) could come out against the same ballot proposal its Governor, Rick Snyder, is actively supporting, MRP chair candidate Norm Hughes says. Hughes also talks about whether he supports Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema and if he voted for Snyder in the last election.

Also, does MRP chair candidate Ronna Romney McDaniel need to talk to the media before the MRP convention? And how is it that Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Chair Lon Johnson has his re-election bid in the bag?

MIRS Monday, Jan. 19, 2015

What does Rep. Brian Banks, the head of the legislative Detroit caucus, hope Gov. Rick Snyder says during his State of the State address? Does he believe it's time for the state to get out of the Detroit Public Schools? And what should we be doing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Also, the MIRS team discusses how bipartisanship in the House appears to have lasted one day and if it's time for the state to push the panic button on lower state revenue estimates.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 12, 2015

It's no secret Reps. Cindy Gamrat, Gary Glenn and Todd Courser came into office with Tea Party appeal, but that doesn't mean they are lockstep on every issue. At the Jan. 10 Michigan Statewide Grassroots Powwow in Mt. Pleasant, the three showed that on issues of marijuana and whether government should be involved in marriage, there are significant differences of opinion. Listen to the three's take on various issues during the legislative forum moderated by MIRS editor Kyle Melinn.

MIRS Monday, Jan. 5, 2015

Who are the House freshmen to watch in the 2015-16 term? MIRS has talked to nearly all of them and runs down a few most likely to make an immediate impact in the new session. Also, will this House and Senate really be more conservative than the 2013-14 session?

Gov. Rick Snyder talks about why he has not been as successful in moving his government transparency and reform initiatives from his 2010 white papers as other policy items. Find out which measure he does plan to push in 2015. And, finally, why have members of the Governor's administration called the Governor "nuts?" This and more in the first edition of MIRS Monday in 2015.

MIRS Monday Podcast 12/29/2014

Tune in as the staff of MIRS announces their 2014 Democrat of the Year.  

Also, who had the best run 2014 campaign and the best television spots.  That and much more in this year ending edition of the MIRS Monday Podcast.  

MIRS Monday, Dec. 22, 2014

Who did MIRS name as its Senator and House Member of the Year for 2014? In Part 1 of MIRS Monday' Best of 2014 series, Emily Lawler of MLive returns to assist in nominating five House members and five Senators who made a mark in terms of effectiveness, level of activity and impact.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

Ari Adler, the press secretary for House Speaker Jase Bolger, has worked in public relations since at least 1997, but he concedes in a one-on-one interview with MIRS editor Kyle Melinn today his most recent post is the most difficult job he's ever had. Right to Work protests, emergency manager protests, the Roy Schmidt scandal and "Vaginagate." Adler looks back at these challenges, particularly in a quickly changing news environment, where social media and the drive to have news first adds new challenges to communications professionals.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 8, 2014

What will the final road funding package look like? What will happen with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) during the lame duck session? How about the 4 a.m. bar closing time bill? The MIRS team gives its different predictions. 

Also, Paul Mitchell, former congressional candidate and head of the Michigan Faith and Freedom Coalition talks about RFRA, Michigan Republican Party Chair Bobby Schostak and his overall view of the Republican Party.

MIRS Monday, Dec. 1, 2014

In this "Lame Duck Primer" edition, the MIRS crew breaks down Speaker Jase Bolger's road funding alternative. Is this posturing? A scare tactic? A final offer before the House, Senate and Governor hammer out a compromise involving a ballot proposal? Also, what are the best bargaining chips the House and Senate possess?

Sarah Hubbard, a principal with Acuitas, shares her observations of lame duck from a multi-client lobbyist standpoint. What are all those lobbyists doing working the tiles this time of year?

MIRS Monday, Nov. 24, 2014

Down to 11 members, how does the Senate Democratic caucus keep their morale up and plan for the future? Is majority even a realistic possibility in 2018? Incoming Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich gives his opinion (13:30).

Also, Tom Hickson of the Michigan Catholic Conference urges the Legislature to pass a new Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Why does his group think this is so urgent?

And MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn quickly runs down the Michigan Republican Party and Michigan Democratic Party chairs races.